Discount Variety Retail Chain Action, the international discount retailer for non-food products, continues to expand on the Romanian market. Action opens its fourth store, in Bragadiru. The inhabitants of Bragadiru and its surroundings can benefit from the Action formula: 14 different categories, with a selection of 6,000 good quality and increasingly sustainable products, from toys and DIY items, to home, gardening and food products, all at the lowest price. Action introduces 150 new products every week, and ensures a relevant assortment, adapted to diverse needs and preferences. 1,500 Action products cost less than 5 Lei. "We are very happy to open another store in Romania, after those in Pitești, Arad and Oradea. Customers have warmly welcomed us and we are happy that we can now bring the Action formula closer to even more Romanians. Our success is based on our strong formula and the commitment and involvement of our teams, of which we are very proud. I want to thank all those who contributed to this achievement: customers, colleagues, suppliers and all those who supported us", says Boyko Tchakarov, General Manager of Action Romania. Action constantly invests in product quality and sustainability: it actively reduces greenhouse gas emissions generated by internal operations, through initiatives such as eliminating gas connections in its own stores by the end of 2024 and the exclusive use of LED lighting. It also maintains clear standards on suppliers and supply. Products are improved by reducing carbon footprint and increasing circularity. Examples are all cotton products under the Action and white-label brand, which come from sustainable sources (99% according to the Better Cotton program, and the remaining 1% from organic cotton). 100% of the wood used in Action products comes from sustainably managed forests, either under FSC® or PEFC certification and all types of cocoa used in Products under the Action brand are Fairtrade since 2022. Spacious and easily accessible, the new store is approximately 913 square meters and has a team of 22 employees. Action Action, the international non-food discount retailer, receives millions of customers every week in more than 3,000 stores in 14 European countries. Customers love the brand for its surprising range of 6,000 products in 14 categories, covering both everyday necessities and items that make life easier and more enjoyable, always at the lowest price. Every week they introduce 150 new products and keep the range always relevant. Through the Action Sustainability Programme (ASP), they constantly invest in improving quality and sustainability, structured in four directions: people, products, planet and partnerships. The retailer's promise: low prices, big smiles. Read more: Action opens another store in Romania, in Bragadiru #smartdiscount #action #romania #expansion #growth #fsc #drc #discount #retail #consulting #discountretailconsulting #retailconsulting #harddiscount #hd #google

Discount Retail Chain ALDI Poland continues its expansion in our country. Successive development is one of the strategic goals that ALDI Polska has been consistently pursuing for years. Thanks to this, the ceiling of 400 stores nationwide will be exceeded this year. In October alone, 9 new store locations appeared in Poland. "We will continue this strategy in 2026. We have already planned several dozen new stores. Each new opening is a reason for joy and pride, and soon we are celebrating a unique event, the launch of the 400th store in Poland. It is also worth mentioning another important milestone in the development of our network, i.e. the opening of the third distribution center in Emilianów, scheduled for the first quarter of the new year", emphasizes Tomasz Gawlik, Director of the Real Estate and Expansion Area. "The launch of the center will allow us to increase operational efficiency and optimize costs. Investing in the development of the logistics network combined with stable expansion will make us even closer to our customers", he adds. The October openings brought the largest increase in the number of ALDI stores in the Wielkopolska Voivodeship, as many as three new outlets appeared here, bringing the total number of outlets in this region to 38. The number of stores in the Lower Silesian Voivodeship has increased to 43, and in the case of the Silesian Voivodeship, it is almost 80 stores. The area of each of the latest ALDI is on average 1000 sqm. The stores are prepared in accordance with the brand's new visual concept, the leitmotif of which is freshness. It is visible both in the way the space is arranged, the assortment and its display. The chain also takes care of additional amenities for customers, such as bread slicers, small shopping trolleys for the youngest customers, as well as intuitive bottle vending machines. Visitors can also enjoy comfortable parking lots, and with the specific needs of its customers in mind, ALDI runs quiet hours, keeping the level of sound stimuli to a minimum. ALDI in Poland ALDI has almost 400 stores in Poland and employs over 4,700 employees. The company focuses on long-term, honest and reliable business relationships with its suppliers and on meeting the requirements of a socially responsible company. ALDI Polska is part of the ALDI Nord Group of Companies, one of the leading international retailers. The company offers customers in eight European countries high-quality products at the lowest possible prices. Key to the success of the ALDI Nord Group is a team of more than 86,000 employees employed in Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal and Spain. Read more: The German ALDI chain is getting closer to 400 stores in Poland - investmap.pl #smartdiscount #aldi #poland #expansion #growth #development #marketshare #drc #discount #retail #consulting #discountretail #discountretailconsulting #retailconsulting #google #harddiscount #hd

Discount Retail Chain Lidl UK has recently added a self-scanning feature to its loyalty app and it could help cut customers time at the checkout. The update means shoppers can use their app to scan items with their phone before paying at a checkout. This feature was being tested out in a “friends and family” trial in four stores earlier this year, ahead of an expected rollout next year. Lidl has filed a trademark in Europe and the UK for “Lidl & Go” for digital payment and scan and shop systems in its stores. Shyam Unarket, Customer Relations Director at Lidl GB, said: “The integration of payment functionality into the Lidl Plus app represents a step forward in our digital evolution. “We are committed to investing in technologies that simplify the customer journey and offer greater flexibility in how people shop with us. “Whether customers prefer using traditional tills or self-checkouts, we want to ensure that every shopper can choose the experience that best suits them.” Meanwhile, Lidl has just beaten Aldi to be crowned cheapest supermarket by Which? for the second time in recent months. A shopping list of 70 items at Lidl came to £120.46 on average in October, or £120.38 for members of its loyalty scheme Lidl Plus. The price of an identical shop at Aldi cost £121 on average. Aldi has been named cheapest supermarket 22 times in the last 24 months, according to Which? analysis. The list of 70 items included both branded and own-brand items, such as Birds Eye Peas, Hovis bread, milk and butter. Tesco shoppers would have paid £134.89 last month, or £133.38 with a Clubcard, while the total bill for Sainsbury's was £139.68, or £136.79 with a Nectar card. Which? also compares prices for a longer list of 187 items. Aldi and Lidl are not included in this comparison as they have a smaller range of products compared to the other supermarkets . Read more: Lidl rolling out big change in stores and it could cut your time at the checkout - The Mirror #smartdiscount #lidl #uk #digitalisation #lidlapp #time #saving #aldi #price #which #cheapest #drc #discount #retail #consulting #discountretail #discountretailconsulting #retailconsulting #harddiscount #hd #google

Discount Variety Retail Chain MR. D.I.Y. Holding (Thailand) Public Company Limited (MRDIYT), Thailand’s leading home improvement and lifestyle retailer, is set to launch its Initial Public Offering (IPO) to raise up to THB 5.6 billion (approximately USD 173 million). This offering marks the largest IPO by Market Capitalisation on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) in the last three years. The fundraising effort has secured strong backing from notable domestic and international Cornerstone Investors, including BBL Asset Management, InnovestX Securities, FIL Investment Management, Lion Global, and Fiera Capital (UK), underscoring market confidence in the company’s growth trajectory. Aggressive Expansion & THB 4.5 Billion Logistics Investment Andy Chin Guangui, CEO of MR. D.I.Y. Holding (Thailand), detailed the company’s aggressive growth strategy. MR. D.I.Y. plans to add at least 500 new stores across the country over the next three years (2025–2027) to capture greater market share and enhance its operational footprint. The company remains committed to its core concept of offering over 16,000 SKUs across six major categories at “Always Low Prices.” To support this expansion, the company is investing THB 4.5 billion into a large-scale automation warehouse. This investment is designed to significantly enhance logistics and supply chain capabilities, allowing the company to efficiently support a network of over 1,500 stores post-2027. “The Thai home improvement market is projected to grow at a 5.4% CAGR,” Mr. Chin stated. “Chain retailers like MR. D.I.Y. are outperforming this, growing at a 15.3% CAGR. With a current market share of 9%, we are in the early stages of unlocking the full potential.” He highlighted the company’s robust financial performance, which saw THB 16.2 billion in revenue in 2024 (28% three-year CAGR) and a net profit of THB 1.7 billion (30% CAGR). IPO Details and Market Capitalisation Pichet Sithi-Amnuai, President of Bualuang Securities and domestic bookrunner, confirmed that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has approved the company’s filing. The indicative IPO price range has been set at THB 8.30–8.60 per share. Retail investors can subscribe for shares from October 20–22, 2025. The final price will be determined via book-building and announced by October 24, 2025, with trading on the SET expected to commence in early November. At the initial retail price range, the IPO will translate to a market capitalisation of up to THB 57.1 billion based on the enlarged share capital, solidifying its position as the largest IPO by market capitalization in Thailand since 2023. Konthee Prasertwongse, Senior Executive Vice President of CIMB Thai Bank, stated that the offering comprises up to 655 million shares (representing up to 10.9% of total shares), including both newly issued and existing shares. The proceeds will primarily fund store expansion, warehouse automation, debt repayment, and working capital to ensure sustainable growth . Read more: MR. D.I.Y. raises up to THB 5.6 Billion in Thailand's largest IPO by market cap - The Story Thailand #smartdiscount   #mrdiy   #variety # thailand #ipo   #logistics   #warehouse   #expansion   #growth   #development   #malaysia   #supplychain   #drc   #discount   #retail   #consulting   #disocuntretail   #discountretailconsulting   #retailconsulting #harddiscount #hd   #googl e

Discount Retail Chain Aldi USA is undertaking a major US product rebrand by stamping its name on all private label products, reducing the number of own private label brands from approximately 90 to 26, and introducing the namesake "The Aldi Brand" for some products. This initiative, launched in late September in response to customer feedback, aims to make Aldi's private label quality more recognizable and visible to shoppers. “The new look and feel of our products is the next step in our journey to modernize our simpler, quicker shopping experience. Now, it’s easier than ever for shoppers to instantly spot the value and quality only Aldi can deliver,” said Atty McGrath, CEO of Aldi. “After nearly 50 years of setting the standard in private label, our updated packaging will give shoppers yet another reason to reach for our products first.” More than 90% of Aldi products are private label, and while the quality items shoppers know and love won’t go anywhere, they will get a fresh new look. Several brands will be replaced with the Aldi name, while iconic brands like Clancy’s, Simply Nature and Specially Selected will remain on shelves with modernized branding and the bold “an Aldi Original” endorsement. Other items like “Red Bag Chicken” will adopt shopper-given nicknames – a playful nod to show fans just how much Aldi values their opinion.    In the US, private labels are moving away from the cheap corner: Even financially secure US households have a positive opinion of private labels, as a study by NIQ last year showed. Giving the product the same name as the retailer is clearly the next step for Aldi to establish a national identity, with its private label strengthening the retailer’s reputation and vice versa. Source: PLMA #smartdiscount #aldi #usa #efficiency #privatelabel #ownbrand #iconic #reorganise #redesign #development #limit #drc #niq #discount #retail #consulting #discountretail #discountretailconsulting #retailconsulting #google

Discount Retail Consulting had the chance to share their insights on international discount retail in the esteemed RSEF magazine. The Red Sea, a crucial global waterway, connects Europe, Africa, and Asia. Extending from the Suez Canal in the north to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait in the south, it serves as a vital artery for international trade and is a region abundant in cultural heritage, natural resources, and untapped economic opportunities also for discount retail. As the European Union (EU) aims to diversify partnerships and protect global supply chains, enhancing cooperation with the Red Sea-bordering countries—Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea, Djibouti, Somalia, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen—has become increasingly important. Read more: #smartdiscount #redsea #eu #region #suezcanal #forum #contribution #Egypt #Sudan #Eritrea #Djibouti #Somalia #SaudiArabia #Yemen #media #expansion #drc #discount #retail #consulting #discountretail #discountretailconsulting #retailconsulting #harddiscount #hd #google

Discount Retail Consulting Management joined forces with the procurement team of Ottno China at #Anuga 2025 to evaluate potential partnerships with A-brand and private label food manufacturers for one of China’s fastest-growing discount retail concepts, headquartered in Chengdu. Founded in 2021, #Ottno has rapidly expanded to 300 value-for-money discount stores across Sichuan and Chongqing province, offering an assortment of 800 SKUs from international and local brands, complemented by 250 in-house developed private label products. The discounter has earned notable recognition in China, including the #Jiuxao Award and the #PLF Golden Star Award for excellence in private label innovation. Targeting young female consumers, Ottno has secured top rankings on #TikTok and #Xiaohongshu (Rednote), leveraging social commerce and influencer-driven visibility. During the visit, the joint team engaged with suppliers in the following categories: - Confectionery: Hamlet, Lambertz, Solen - Alcohol: Oettinger, Eichbaum - Canned meat: Zwanenberg - Dairy: INEX, Ammerland - Edible oils: Ranieri - Parallel imports: SRGI, Big Brands, Brand Masters These discussions focused on aligning premium-quality, cost-competitive products with Ottno’s trendy, youth-oriented store format and scalable private label pipeline. This strategic collaboration at Anuga 2025 marks a key step toward integrating European and global FMCG expertise into Ottno’s high-growth discount ecosystem in Southwest China. #smartdiscount #ottno #anuga #cologne #germany #china #chengdu #privatelabel #brand #food #solen #oettinger #srgi #bigbrands #brandmasters #ammerland #hamlet #lambertz #JiuxaoAward #tiktok #rednote #Xiaohongshu #PLFGoldenStarAward #Sichuan #Chongqing #drc #discount #retail #consulting #discountretail #discountretailconsulting #retailconsulting #harddiscount #hd #google

Discount Retail Consulting Management was also invited by the board of retailer Lianhua Supermarket Holdings Co., Ltd. in Hangzhou - about 200 km south from Shanghai, and accommodating 12,6 million inhabitants - during the business development trip in China ( see also our reports on small commodity production city Yiwu  and food production city Luohe and Aldi China store Shanghai ). The Lianhua Supermarket Holdings Co., Ltd. management participated last year in the DRC discount retail workshops in Germany and the Netherlands (see also discounter workshops ). Lianhua Supermarket Holdings Co., Ltd. operating in Shanghai since 1991 is a publicly traded Chinese company on the Shanghai Stock Exchange as part of its mother company Shanghai Bailian Group and Hangzhou travel. Lianhua operates in a broad range of retail (with over 6,000 locations, revenues of 13 BN RMB and 2 warehouses) including shopping malls, outlet stores, specialty retail, fashion, online and investment activities in the Shanghai and Zhejiang provinces. Operating grocery formats like Century Mart (hypermarket), Lianhua (supermarket), Lianhua Quik (convenience), CiTYLiFE and Green & Health (gourmet) and since some months their new discount format Foodmarket (FD) with 11 stores and growing. DRC shared its vision on discount retail in general and the recently started discount format FD and its possible improvement points to the management. #smartdiscount #shanghai #fd #food #foodmart #foodmarket #lianhua #bailian #centurymart #hangzhou #quik #citylife #greenhealth #zhejiang #drc #discount #retail #consulting #workshop #discountretail #discountretailconsulting #retailconsulting #google #hd #harddiscount

Discount Retail Chain Aldi Süd has been investing in electric car charging infrastructure for some time. According to the discounter, 160 new e-charging points have been built at branches this year alone. Now the company is announcing a further step. In the coming years, so-called e-charging hubs will be introduced at 40 highly frequented locations, where up to six e-cars can charge at the best price at the same time, according to the company. The first charging stations, where several vehicles can charge at the same time, have already recently been connected to the grid in Cologne and Karlsruhe. Aldi Süd currently operates over 700 e-charging stations with a total of 1,600 charging points, according to its own information. Almost half of these charging stations are modern fast-charging stations with a nominal output of up to 200 kW, which, depending on the electric car, can be used to draw electricity for an additional range of up to 500 kilometres in 30 minutes. Aldi becomes a charging provider "This means that Aldi Süd operates the largest and most powerful e-charging network in the food retail sector in its sales area - which is implemented entirely by a food retailer itself," emphasizes the discounter. Charging is nowhere cheaper than at Aldi Süd. "Since Aldi Süd operates the e-charging stations itself, the company sets the prices on its own responsibility and can offer charging at the best price according to the discount principle," it says in a statement. Electricity from 29 cents/kWh Aldi Süd customers currently receive electric car electricity for 29 cents/kWh at normal charging stations, for 44 cents/kWh at fast charging stations with 50 kW nominal output and for 47 cents/kWh at stations with a nominal output of 150 kW or more. "Aldi Süd has long been committed to ad-hoc charging, as it simplifies the charging process and ensures price transparency. Therefore, our customers can pay uniformly at all our e-charging stations using debit and credit cards as well as common NFC smartphones," emphasizes Jan Riemann, Group Director Real Estate at Aldi Süd. Read more: Aldi investiert in E-Mobilität – so teuer wird das Laden an den neuen Stationen - FOCUS online #smartdiscount #aldi #germany #charging #station #parking #costs #electricity #drc #discount #retail #consulting #discountretail #discountretailconsulting #retailconsulting #google #hd #harddiscount #echarging #ev #electric

Discount Retail Consulting (DRC) was also present in the media in China as a journalist followed us on our discount food and non-food private label trip to Shanghai, Yiwu, Luohe, Zhengzhou and Hangzhou. Read more: Weixin Official Accounts Platform #smartdiscount #weixin #trip #china #fmcg #nonfood #privatelabel #pl #drc #discount #retail #consulting #discountretail #discountretailconsulting #retailconsulting #google #yiwu #luohe #shanghai #aldi

Discount Retail Consulting's management recently undertook a business development trip to China, including a visit to Yiwu, located about 1,000 km southwest of Shanghai. Yiwu is home to over 75,000 company booths spread across six expansive multi-level buildings, offering 2.1 million commodities that encompass nearly every conceivable type of small commodity. They provide every non-food category, catering to businesses with the most competitive prices! From clothing, home appliances, cosmetics, fashionable accessories, stationery, electronics, tableware, tools, and toys, to seasonal decorations and trendy gifts, you'll find both high-volume and niche options all within these six large buildings. It's truly impressive. This international marketplace allows importers, distributors, and retailers to purchase a wide variety of non-food products in bulk directly from Chinese manufacturers or their agents, already exporting to over 210 countries worldwide. If you are interested in any kind of product, please contact us here . #smartdiscount #nonfood #china #yiwu #luohe #shanghai #pl #privatelabel #harddiscount #h #businessdevelopment #bd #generalmerchandising #inout #gm #b2b #categories #smallcommoditiy #sourcing #procurement #drc #discount #retail #consulting #discountretail #discountretailconsulting #retailconsulting #google

Discount Retail Consulting Management naturally needed to visit during its business development trip (see also our reports on small commodity production city Yiwu and food production city Luohe ) some Aldi China store locations in Shanghai. The discount retail trend has also gained traction in China. Recently, various discount concepts have been launched and implemented by local Chinese retailers and e-commerce companies. Meanwhile, Aldi, the pioneer of global discount retail, has been active in China since 2019, operating around 80 stores in the greater Shanghai area and expanding rapidly with great success. Upon entering the bustling Aldi store (600 m2) in the Hongqiao area, we were impressed by the fresh selection, including a wide variety of vegetables, meat, fish, fresh cuisine products, baked goods, and ready-to-eat items like grilled chicken, as well as the well-developed Chinese Aldi branded private label products. With over 1,700 SKUs, a broad range of categories was covered, including a diverse selection of wines and private label cosmetics. Furthermore, Aldi also featured some categories of well-known German direct import products, highlighting their exceptional European quality standards. As expected, the familiar weekly in-out non-food range was absent. Additionally, Aldi offered intriguing in-out food-themed promotions such as Halloween. The pricing is highly competitive, matching and even surpassing serious local Chinese grocery discounters. In addition to mostly self-checkout stations, contactless payments via phone are standard in China and at Aldi, making shopping seamless in a crowded store. Online delivery also constitutes a significant portion of the revenue. As always, the staff was well-trained in the Aldi way. This Aldi concept adapted to the Chinese market is a well-thought-out grocery discount retail format. With local adaptations to make it feel Chinese youngsters and middle-class customers at home with an international touch, showcasing high quality for a low price. #smartdiscount #china #aldi #shanghai #luohe #yiwu #growth #expansion #marketdevelopment #harddiscount #hd #businessdevelopment #assortment #privatelabel #pl #drc #discount #retail #consulting #discountretail #discountretailconsulting #retailconsulting #google